FAQ of Velbon

It is important to choose your tripod according to the weight of your camera and lens. A lightweight tripod is better for carrying, but with a heavier and larger camera, a lightweight tripod may not provide enough stability or secure balance. Damage to the camera and lens could result if the tripod falls. The heavier the tripod the better for shooting. These are the basic considerations in choosing the right tripod for your needs. A rough guideline states that the loading weight of the tripod is two times the weight of the tripod itself. If the tripod weighs 1kg, then the loading weight is up to 2kg.

Most tripods are made from aluminum alloy. Inexpensive tripods often use plastics for the head and tripod body. High performance tripods employ magnesium for the head and body while using carbon fiber for the legs for strength and light weight.

The nut locking system allows users to tighten manually right up to the point that they feel is safe or enough for the shooting situation. The lever locking system is faster in use since the leg can be locked with just one action. Professional photographers tend to choose the nut locking system, while enthusiasts usually go with lever locking. Bird watching users also often choose the lever locking system. Only Velbon offers both systems, such as the GEO N models with nut locking and the GEO E models with lever locking.

Tripod legs usually have three or four sections, and this affects the ratio of the folded length to the maximum extension of the tripod. If a three-section tripod and a four-section tripod have the same maximum height, the extension ratio difference means that the four-section tripod will be more compact when folded down. Therefore a four-section model is the better choice when carrying it is the main consideration.

There are two camera screw sizes in use internationally. The UNC 1/4-inch size is for DSLRs, compact cameras, and camcorders. The UNC 3/8-inch size is for medium- and large-format cameras and scopes. There is an adapter for that will convert a 1/4-inch thread to a 3/8-inch thread.

Both cameras and video camcorders use the UNC 1/4-inch thread mount, so a DSLR can be attached to a video head. The difference between a photo head and a video head is the function. The photo head allows the camera to be turned to the vertical position for taking portraits. A video camera head, however, does not need this position. The video head moves in two ways, for panning and tilting.
The main purpose of a photo head is to securely lock the camera. But the most important feature of a video head is smooth movement with the panning or tilting handle. Locking is not always necessary when using a video camera.

Most tripods are made from aluminum alloy. Inexpensive tripods often use plastics for the head and tripod body. High performance tripods employ magnesium for the head and body while using carbon fiber for the legs for strength and light weight.

When attaching the camera to the tripod, it is necessary to screw the tripod into the mount on the bottom of the camera, which takes a few minutes. If the quick release plate is attached to the bottom of the camera, the camera can be mounted on the tripod with just one action. By simply sliding the quick release plate onto the camera plate, the camera can be locked onto the head by simply turning the lever. Locking is fast and convenient. If you have two or more camera bodies, extra quick release plates can be attached to these bodies for quick mounting on the same tripod.

This depends on the type of modification requested. It may be possible, for example, to add spiked feet to an existing tripod. Feel free to consult with Velbon on any request for specific support.

Some products are no longer in production and are not listed in the current catalogue but are still available as new products from retailers.

Unfortunately this is not possible. Each manufacturer provides support for its own products.

Unfortunately Velbon does not know the status of individual shops regarding their inventory of Velbon products.